Conveyor belt, conveyor belt assembly including an imaging system, and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide an improved conveyor belt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axis oriented in a machine direction; a plurality of first stripes having a first visible appearance, each of the plurality of first stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to the primary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a second visible appearance, each of the plurality of second stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to the primary axis, wherein: the second visible appearance provides a contrasting appearance relative to the first visible appearance; and each of the plurality of second stripes are located intermediate two of the plurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first and second stripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern on the visible surface of the improved conveyor belt.

BACKGROUND

Considerable attention has been directed toward automated handling ofpackages being transported by carriers through transportation networks.Yet automated handling is a complex problem with many parts, such thatno single system or method alone appears to provide a comprehensivesolution for all conditions. Instead, for accurate and efficientautomated handling to occur, it appears as though a combination of manydifferent and many improved techniques and assemblies are required.Thus, simplicity and cost become important considerations.

A primary component in many systems and methods for automated handlingof packages is a conveyance device (i.e., conveyor belt), which aregenerally formed and/or extended around at least two driving wheels.Thus, by turning the driving wheels, the conveyor belt may be runendlessly. Conveyor belts may also generally be flexible and deformableat least while running in contact with the driving wheels, and amultitude of materials, linkages, and so forth have been used to achievethese goals.

Where automated handling of packages has been implemented in connectionwith conveyor belts and otherwise, certain inefficiencies may arise. Forexample, where packages may be improperly or too closely placed relativeto one another on the conveyor belt, congestion could arise, impactingvarious measurements or the like that need to be performed on thepackages while on the conveyor belt. Still further, where the materialsin which packages are wrapped (e.g., foil or paper or the like) differin color, where the wrapping material is analogous to or matches thecolor of the conveyor belt, inaccuracies may also arise in anymeasurements or observations made in an automated fashion relative tothe packages.

Thus, a need exists for an improved conveyor belt assembly andassociated methods of using and operating the same that facilitate moreefficient, effective, and accurate automated handling of packages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various embodiments, there is provided an improved conveyorbelt assembly for facilitating improved automated handling of aplurality of packages. The improved conveyor belt assembly comprises aconveyor belt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axisoriented in a machine direction, the visible surface being movable inthe machine direction and configured, during movement, to receivethereon each of the plurality of packages; a plurality of first stripeshaving a first visible appearance, each of the plurality of firststripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being orientedperpendicular to the primary axis; and a plurality of second stripeshaving a second visible appearance, each of the plurality of secondstripes at least in part defining the visible surface and being orientedperpendicular to the primary axis. The second visible appearanceprovides a contrasting appearance relative to the first visibleappearance; and each of the plurality of second stripes are locatedintermediate two of the plurality of first stripes such that theplurality of first and second stripes collectively define an alternatingcontrasting pattern on the visible surface of the improved conveyorbelt. Also provided is an imaging system comprising a plurality ofcameras positioned in a plurality of locations relative to the visiblesurface of the conveyor belt, the imaging system being configured toprovide continuous visibility of each of the plurality of packagesreceived on the visible surface during movement thereof.

According to further various embodiments, a system is providedincorporating the improved conveyor belt assembly described above. Thesystem comprises one or more computer processors configured for: duringcontinuous operation of the improved conveyor belt, capturing, via theimaging system a continuous video sequence containing each of theplurality of packages received on the visible surface during movementthereof; extracting at least one screen shot containing at least oneimage of at least one of the plurality of packages; and calculating,based at least upon the first and second known widths of the pluralityof first and second stripes appearing in the at least one extractedscreen shot, one or more dimensions of the at least one of the pluralityof packages. The system further comprises one or more memory storageareas configured to associate and store the extracted screen shot andthe calculated dimensions with the at least one of the plurality ofpackages.

According to still further embodiments there is provided acomputer-implemented method for facilitating improved automated handlingof a plurality of packages. The method comprises the steps of:continuously operating an improved conveyor belt, the improved conveyorbelt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axis oriented in amachine direction, the visible surface being movable in the machinedirection during the continuous operation and being configured toreceive thereon each of the plurality of packages; a plurality of firststripes having a first known width and a first visible appearance, eachof the plurality of first stripes at least in part defining the visiblesurface and being oriented perpendicular to the primary axis; and aplurality of second stripes having a second known width and a secondvisible appearance, each of the plurality of second stripes at least inpart defining the visible surface and being oriented perpendicular tothe primary axis, wherein: the second visible appearance provides acontrasting appearance relative to the first visible appearance; andeach of the plurality of second stripes are located intermediate two ofthe plurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first andsecond stripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern onthe visible surface of the improved conveyor belt. The method furthercomprises the steps of: during the continuous operation of the improvedconveyor belt, capturing, via an imaging system a continuous videosequence containing each of the plurality of packages received on thevisible surface during movement thereof; extracting, via at least onecomputer processor, at least one screen shot containing at least oneimage of at least one of the plurality of packages; calculating, via theat least one computer processor and based at least upon the first andsecond known widths of the plurality of first and second stripesappearing in the at least one extracted screen shot, one or moredimensions of the at least one of the plurality of packages; andassociating and storing, in at least one memory storage area, theextracted screen shot and the calculated dimensions with the at leastone of the plurality of packages.

Still further various embodiments provide an improved conveyor belt forfacilitating improved automated handling of a plurality of packages. Thebelt in at least these embodiments comprises: a visible surface having aprimary axis oriented in a machine direction; a plurality of firststripes having a first visible appearance, each of the plurality offirst stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and beingoriented perpendicular to the primary axis; and a plurality of secondstripes having a second visible appearance, each of the plurality ofsecond stripes at least in part defining the visible surface and beingoriented perpendicular to the primary axis, wherein: the second visibleappearance provides a contrasting appearance relative to the firstvisible appearance; and each of the plurality of second stripes arelocated intermediate two of the plurality of first stripes such that theplurality of first and second stripes collectively define an alternatingcontrasting pattern on the visible surface of the improved conveyorbelt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective or isometric view of an improved conveyor beltassembly according to various embodiments of the present invention,including an improved conveyor belt and an imaging system associatedtherewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective or isometric view of the improved conveyor beltassembly of FIG. 1, illustrating thereon a plurality of packages coveredin package wrapping foil;

FIG. 3 is an overhead depiction of the improved conveyor belt accordingto various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a first exemplary method ofoperation of the improved conveyor belt assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a second exemplary method ofoperation of the improved conveyor belt assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary improved conveyor belt systemaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 7A is a schematic block diagram of a server associated with thesystem of FIG. 6 according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 7B is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile deviceassociated with the system of FIG. 6 according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Improved Conveyor Belt Assembly 1

With reference now to FIG. 1, an improved conveyor belt assembly 1according to various embodiments may be seen therein as comprising animproved conveyor belt 10 and an imaging system 30. The improvedconveyor belt assembly 1 is configured according to various embodimentto receive upon the conveyor belt 10 a plurality of packages 20 that arebeing transported from one location to another, for example, from apackage receiving hub to a package departure hub (i.e., a vehicle ortruck loading dock) within a package sorting facility or the like.

Generally speaking, according to various embodiments, the improvedconveyor belt assembly 1 is configured to facilitate more efficient,effective, and accurate automated handling of packages than that whichis obtainable via conventional conveyor belt assemblies and/orconventional conveyor belts. For example, in certain embodimentsdescribed in detail further below, the improved conveyor belt assembly 1enables accurate and efficient determination of whether each of theplurality of packages 20 placed upon the improved conveyor belt 10 aresufficiently spaced relative to one another. When used in conjunctionwith an associated imaging system 30 in certain embodiments described indetail further below, the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 also enablesaccurate and efficient calculation of package dimensions and retentionof that and other package data for subsequent retrieval. In this manner,as a non-limiting example, the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 mayminimize or even eliminate misreads or no-reads of package data,including package labels or other shipping indicia and/or packagedimensions. In conventional configurations misreads many times result inconsignor or consignee challenges to charges imposed based upon someportion of package data read. In addition to also seeking to avoidmisreads, the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 collects documentationto defend against such consignor or consignee challenges. In a similarfashion, no-reads oftentimes require manual handling of the package(s),which inefficiency is generally undesirable where automated handling ofpackages is sought to be maximized.

Returning to FIG. 1, it may be understood therefrom that the improvedconveyor belt 10 is configured primarily as conventional conveyor belts,such that it is formed and/or extended around at least two drivingwheels (not shown). By turning the driving wheels, the conveyor belt 10may be run endlessly. The conveyor belt 10 may be thus, likeconventional belts of this nature, made from a multitude of materials,linkages, and so forth, so as to achieve the desired combination ofdurability and flexibility thereof.

As compared to conventional conveyor belts, the improved conveyor belt10 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of alternating firststripes 12 and second stripes 14. With reference now to FIG. 3,according to various embodiments, relative to a machine direction 15(i.e., a direction of travel of the conveyor belt 10 (i.e., of a primaryaxis thereof) as it is turned about the driving wheels in an endlessfashion), the first and second stripes 12, 14 are oriented substantiallyperpendicular relative thereto. Stated otherwise, the first and secondstripes 12, 14 define stripes transverse to the direction of travel ofthe improved conveyor belt 10. Of course, in other embodiments, thefirst and second stripes 12, 14 may be offset by some degree relative toa transverse axis/orientation relative to the machine direction 15, asmay be desirable. It is not envisioned, however, that the first andsecond stripes 12, 14 would ever be oriented parallel to the machinedirection 15 in any of these or still other embodiments.

Remaining with FIG. 3, according to various embodiments, the pluralityof first and second stripes 12, 14, respectively, are provided along anentirety of the improved conveyor belt 10. In certain embodiments,however, the first and second stripe pattern—as seen for example in FIG.3, may be provided only intermittently or in a periodic fashion alongthe entirety of the improved conveyor belt 10, as may be desirable. Inother embodiments, the pattern of the plurality of first and secondstripes 12, 14 may be otherwise provided, although it should beunderstood that in any of these and still other embodiments, the firstand second stripes 12, 14 are provided in an alternating fashion, asillustrated in FIG. 3.

It may also be understood from FIG. 3 that the first and second stripes12, 14, when oriented transverse to the machine direction 15 orotherwise, are configured according to various embodiments to extendsubstantially continuously across an entire width 19 of the conveyorbelt 10. In certain embodiments, the first and second stripes 12, 14 mayextend across a majority of the entire width 19 of the conveyor belt 10.In any of these and still other embodiments, the first and secondstripes 12, 14 should extend so as to substantially cover all or atleast substantially all of the area of the conveyor belt 10 upon which aplurality of packages may be placed thereupon. In one embodiment, thestripes 12, 14 extend across at least 80% of the width of the conveyorbelt 10. In this manner, the first and second stripes 12, 14 may beutilized by the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 to, as non-limitingexamples, determine whether the packages have been places sufficientlyapart relative to one another and to calculate with reference to thestripes one or more dimensions of the packages, all as will be describedin further detail below.

Remaining with FIG. 3, the first and second stripes 12, 14 each haveknown widths 16, 17, respectively. In certain embodiments, the widths ofboth the first and the second stripes 12, 14 are substantially the same.In other embodiments, the width of one or the other of the first andsecond stripes 12, 14 may be larger than the other. According to variousembodiments, the widths 16, 17 of both the first and second stripes 12,14 is approximately ten (10) centimeters. In certain embodiments, thewidths 16, 17 may be greater than ten (10) centimeters or less than ten(10) centimeters, provided that in any such embodiments the widths 16,17 are smaller than any one dimensional measurement of a package to beplaced upon the conveyor belt 10, so as to ensure that the widths 16, 17may be used to calculate therefrom the dimensions of the packages. In atleast one embodiment, the widths 16, 17 are in a range of approximately5 centimeters and 15 centimeters. In yet another embodiment, the widths16, 17 are in a range of approximately 2 centimeters and 20 centimeters,recognizing that the lower bound of the range is controlled in these andother embodiments at least in part by the resolution capability of acamera of the imaging system 30, detailed further below.

According to various embodiments, a width 18 of a pair of the stripes12, 14 may be known and relied upon for purposes of various calculations(e.g., of sufficient spacing and/or package dimensions, as detailedelsewhere herein), as opposed to (or in addition to) discrete widths 16,17 of the individual stripes being known and/or relied upon. In certainembodiments, the known width 18 is approximately twenty (20)centimeters. In certain embodiments, the known width 18 may be greaterthan twenty (20) centimeters or less than twenty (20) centimeters,provided that in any such embodiments the known width 18 remains smallerthan any one dimensional measurement of a package to be placed upon theconveyor belt 10, so as to ensure that the known width 18 may be used tocalculate therefrom the dimensions of the packages. In at least oneembodiment, the known width 18 is in a range of approximately 10centimeters and 30 centimeters. In yet another embodiment, the knownwidth 18 may be in a range of approximately 5 centimeters and 40centimeters, recognizing that the lower bound of the range is controlledin these and other embodiments at least in part by the resolutioncapability of a camera of the imaging system 30, detailed further below.

According to various embodiments, with reference still to FIG. 3, thefirst and second stripes 12, 14 may be made of materials havingcontrasting colors or patterns. In certain embodiments, the first stripe12 is light colored and the second stripe 14 is dark colored. In anotherembodiment, the first stripe 12 is a solid color and the second stripe14 has a pattern (e.g., stripes, zig-zags, or the like) defined thereon.In at least one embodiment, the first stripe 12 is white and the secondstripe 14 is black, although in still other embodiments any highcontrast color combinations may be used for the first and second stripes12, 14, including the non-limiting and exemplary color combinations ofblack and yellow, blue and white, black and orange, green and white,green and magenta, red and white, yellow and cyan, and the like. Theonly limitation according to various embodiments is that the contrastingcolors should be configured so as to facilitate accurate measurementsupon packages wrapped in a variety of materials, such as thenon-limiting example of black foil, as will be described further below.

It should also be understood that according to various embodiments, thefirst and second stripes 12, 14 may be made of different materialsand/or differently formed. For example, in certain embodiments, thesecond stripe 14 of dark contrasting color may be formed from a materialsuch as that forming conventional conveyor belts, as such are well-knownand understood in the art. In these and other embodiments, the firststripe 12 may be formed from a material having a high lumen factor, soas to facilitate reflectance thereof by the imaging system 30, asdetailed further below. In at least one embodiment, the material of thefirst stripe 12 has a lumen factor of at least 0.85. In otherembodiments, the lumen factor may be in a range of approximately 0.75 to0.95. In at least one embodiment, the first stripe 12 may be formed witha luminescent paint, as a non-limiting example a luminescent painthaving a lumen factor of at least 0.85.

Returning now to FIG. 1 and with reference also to FIG. 2, as mentioned,a plurality of packages 20 may be placed onto the improved conveyor belt10 described above during operation or use thereof. The plurality ofpackages 20 according to various embodiments may be differently sizedrelative to one another, as is conventional. The plurality of packages20 may also have placed thereon one or more shipping indicia 22,including the non-limiting examples of shipping labels, packageidentifying parameters, carrier tracking numbers, and the like. Theplurality of packages 20 may also be made of various different packagingmaterials 24, as also conventional. In certain embodiments, as may beunderstood from FIG. 2, the plurality of packages 20 may be wrapped orotherwise sealed, whether with packaging tape, foil (e.g., black foil),or the like. The contrasting colors of the first and second stripes 12,14, as described previously herein, enables the detection (anddimensional measurement/spacing evaluation/etc.) of packagecharacteristics with an enhanced degree of reliability and accuracy, inparticular as compared to conventional conveyor belts made with a singlecolor material, wherein use of foil 24 (or the like) is known to resultin inaccuracies and non-reads of packages so configured.

Remaining with FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated also therein is the imagingsystem 30 of the improved conveyor belt assembly 1. The imaging systemaccording to various embodiments includes a plurality of cameras 32, atleast one user interface or control panel 34, and a frame 35. The frameis generally configured to facilitate mounting/placement of theplurality of cameras 32 over and beside the conveyor belt 10 and tofacilitate mounting of the plurality of cameras 32 in particularorientations at those locations. A plurality of mounting brackets(shown, but not numbered) may be provided as part of the frame 35 inthis respect; however, it should be understood that any of a variety offrame structures and/or mounting brackets for placement of cameras 32 orother components relative to a conveyor belt 10 may be used, as such aregenerally known and understood in the art.

The plurality of cameras 32, which may be seen best in FIG. 1, areconfigured to provide substantially continuous coverage of the pluralityof packages 20 positioned upon the conveyor belt 10 as the latter isendlessly moved in the machine direction 15 (see FIG. 3). In thisrespect, it should be understood that the plurality of cameras 32 of theimaging system 30 are provided downstream of a work-piece or packagefeeding location, wherein the packages 20 are fed or otherwiseloaded/placed onto the conveyor belt 10. Collectively the plurality ofcameras 32 according to various embodiments may thus capture images of aportion of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 10 during travelthereof, capturing further any packages 20 placed thereon.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of cameras 32 areconfigured to provide a continuous image feed, for example as a videosequence. In this manner, the provision of continuity ensures that nopackages 20 upon the conveyor belt 10 are not imaged and/or not fullyimaged, as partial or less imaging would hinder the automaticdimensional measuring thereof, as described in further detail below.

According to various embodiments, the imaging system 30 may include auser interface and/or control panel 34, which may be configured todisplay in real-time or near real-time to personnel operating theimproved conveyor belt assembly 1 a feed of the images (or videosequence) being captured by the plurality of cameras 32. In certainembodiments, the feed displayed may be a consolidation of the multipleimages or video sequences captured by each respective one of theplurality of cameras 32, while in other embodiments, only one preferredfeed may be displayed via the user interface 34. The user interface orcontrol panel 34 may be configured to provide additional functionality,as described in further detail below with reference to system 1000 andits central server 1200, which may be utilized in conjunction with theimproved conveyor belt assembly 1 described herein.

First Exemplary Method of Operation 100

A first exemplary method of operation 100 of the improved conveyorassembly 1 described above will now be described with reference to FIG.4. It should be understood that one or more of the plurality of stepsillustrated therein may according to various embodiments beinterchangeable and/or optional, such that, as non-limiting examples,the determination of sufficient spacing may be performed separate from apackage dimension calculation and/or the generation of one or morenotifications may be deferred until a later time in the process, ascompared to that illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Still further,it should be understood that one or more of the plurality of stepsillustrated in FIG. 4 may be computer-implemented, for example via thesystem 1000 and the various components thereof, as described elsewhereherein.

With reference now to step 101, therein according to variousembodiments, the imaging system 30 described previously herein may beconfigured to capture a plurality of images as a video sequence. Inorder to determine therefrom data associated with each of the pluralityof packages 20 on the conveyor belt 10 and captured in the video stream,a plurality of screen shots must be extracted therefrom, such that atleast one screen shot is provided illustrating each of the plurality ofpackages 20 in their entirety. In certain embodiments, the screen shotsmay be captured with a periodicity of approximately one second, as theconveyor belt 10 is in operation. In other embodiments, the screen shotsmay be captured with any range of periodicity, such that sufficientstill images are captured for each of the plurality of packages 20 intheir entirety, so as to proceed to steps 102, 104 and beyond in theprocess of FIG. 4.

Upon extraction of the plurality of screen shots from the video sequenceprovided by the imaging system 30, the first exemplary method ofoperation 100 proceeds to step 102, wherein a determination is made asto whether sufficient spacing exists between each of the plurality ofpackages 20 on the conveyor belt 10. Sufficient spacing is an importantconsideration, at least in part, because sufficient spacing betweenadjacent ones of the plurality of packages 20 enables accurate andefficient dimensional readings to occur (as described below with respectto step 104). Notably, in conventional configurations, whereinsufficient spacing occurs, misreads and/or no-reads may occur, whichlabels may invoke manual package inspection procedures and/or make anysubsequent dimensional measurements subject to subsequent challengelegally or otherwise.

According to certain embodiments, when performing the determination ofstep 102 a parameter may be established that a minimum of five (5)centimeters is desirable between discrete and adjacent packages. Inother embodiments, a range of spacing between five (5) and twenty-five(25) centimeters may be acceptable. In still other embodiments, aspacing of more than ten (10) centimeters is required, for example, inthose embodiments wherein the widths of the respective first and secondstripes 12, 14 of the conveyor belt 10 are ten centimeters. In thisrespect, according to various embodiments, it may be beneficial for thespacing to correspond substantially to the width of the stripes 12, 14;although in still other embodiments, the spacing may be less than orgreater than the width of one or more of the stripes 12, 14. In at leastone embodiment, the stripes 12, 14 are ten centimeters wide and theminimum spacing is five centimeters between discrete adjacent ones ofthe plurality of packages 20.

Remaining with step 102 of FIG. 4, the determination of whethersufficient spacing exists between each of the discrete ones of theplurality of packages 20 may according to various embodiments utilize aplurality of images compiled from several of the plurality of cameras 32of the imaging system 30, as described previously herein. Forsimplicity, however, in at least one embodiment, the sufficient spacingdetermination may primarily utilize either top or side (i.e.,non-angular) positioned cameras. Various configurations may beenvisioned in this respect, however, without departing from the scopeand intention of the present invention.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, if a determination is made thatsufficient spacing does not exist between one or more discrete/adjacentones of the plurality of packages 20, the first exemplary method ofoperation 100 proceeds to step 103, wherein one or more notifications ofinsufficient may be generated. The notifications may be configured incertain embodiments as one or more of audio or visual alerts to personalphysically adjacent the conveyor belt assembly 1, so as to prompt aninitiation of package movement so as to ensure sufficient spacing isthereafter provided. In other embodiments, the notifications may beadditionally and/or alternatively transmitted via a network and/orotherwise processed via a computerized system, as described furtherbelow with reference to system 1000. In at least one embodiment, thenotifications may be generated and transmitted to at least one personsupervising operation of the conveyor belt assembly, which transmissionmay trigger not only remedial action to provide sufficient spacing (asnoted), but also training for conveyor belt assembly operating personnelso as to mitigate the likelihood of insufficient spacing occurringagain.

Remaining with FIG. 4, if instead step 102 determines that sufficientspacing is provided, at least with respect to a particular one of theplurality of packages 20 under examination, the first exemplary methodof operation 100 is configured, according to various embodiments, toproceed to step 104. Therein, likewise based at least in part upon theextracted screen shots in step 101, one or more package dimensions arecalculated. As a non-limiting example, consider an embodiment in whichthe plurality of cameras 32 of the imaging system 30 are placed over andaround the conveyor belt 10, such that visual coverage is providedthereby at multiple angles/orientations/perspectives of the portion ofthe belt upon which the plurality of packages 20 travel. Based upon thecaptured and extracted screen shots (see step 101) of this data andfurther based upon the first and second stripes 12, 14—in particular theknown width thereof (e.g., 10 centimeters), package dimensions may beextrapolated therefrom.

A non-limiting example is useful, with reference further to FIG. 1,wherein appearing thereon are a plurality of packages 20, including thesecond from the bottom left identified accordingly. The entirety of thatpackage may be seen in this depiction, which consider hypothetically isone of the screen shots extracted in step 101 of FIG. 4. Relative to thefirst and second stripes 12, 14 of the conveyor belt 10 that thispackage crosses, it may be calculated that this package is approximately30 centimeters in length (i.e., in the direction of travel of the belt).Applying that scale along the stripes 12, 14 it may further beextrapolated that the package is approximately 20 centimeters wide andapproximately 10 centimeters tall/thick. Volumetric dimensions and thelike may also be calculated, any combination of which calculateddimensions may be further utilized according to various embodiments, forexample for determining shipping rates for the packages measured or thelike. In other embodiments, calculations may be used additionally oralternatively for validation of shipping rates, for example, where acustomer later challenges a rate imposed by the carrier for a particularpackage. The images and calculations performed by the conveyor beltassembly 1 and at least this first exemplary method of operation 100thereof (along with the second method of operation 200 and so forth) maythus, in certain instances, be used to provide objective evidence ofpackage characteristics, should legal challenges or proceedings withrespect to the same arise.

Returning now with focus upon FIG. 4, upon calculation of the packagedimensions in step 104, the first exemplary method of operation 100 ofthe improved conveyor belt assembly 1 described above is configured,according to various embodiments, to proceed in step 105 to associatethe extracted and calculated data, as described above with reference tosteps 101, 102, and/or 104. In certain embodiments, as a non-limitingexample, the extracted screen shots containing images of the package inits entirety and the calculated package dimensions may be associated orotherwise tied relative to one another in this step. Where the improvedconveyor belt assembly 1 is utilized in conjunction with the system 1000described further below, this step 105 may involve consolidated storageof this associated data, for example, in one or more databases or thelike (as such are also described further below).

In other embodiments, during step 105 the first exemplary method ofoperation 100 of the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 may associatenote only the extracted screen shot data and the calculated dimensionswith one another, but also one or more of the determination of thesufficient spacing and/or the raw video sequence data. The sufficientspacing determination being further associated may, in certainembodiments, increase the objective reliability of the associated dataset, should reliance thereupon in a customer challenge become necessary.In these and still other embodiments the raw video sequence data mayalso be associated with the calculations derived therefrom, shouldretention of that additional degree of documentary evidence bedesirable.

According to any of these and still other embodiments, upon completionof the at least virtual association of the data described in step 105,the first exemplary method of operation 100 of the improved conveyorbelt assembly 1 is configured to proceed in step 106 to provide and/orotherwise make the associated data accessible. In certain embodimentsutilizing the system 1000 described further below, the associated datamay be made accessible via one or more user interfaces and/or displays.In other embodiments, the associated data or at least some portionthereof may be made available or provided to the carrier transportingthe plurality of packages and/or to another entity or user, as may bedesirable. It should be understood that in certain embodiments, theassociated data may be provided electronically and in a near-real timefashion, while in other embodiments the associated data may only beprovided upon request therefor (e.g., in the event of a customerchallenge or other comparable proceeding).

Second Exemplary Method of Operation 200

A second exemplary method of operation 200 of the improved conveyorassembly 1 described above will now be described with reference to FIG.5. In comparison to the first exemplary method of operation 100illustrated in FIG. 4, steps 201, 202, 203, 205, 206, and 207 areconfigured according to various embodiments in substantially the samemanner as steps 101, 102, 103, 105, and 106, respectively. For example,the extraction of screen shots from a video sequence of the plurality ofpackages 20 (as captured via the imaging system 30 described elsewhereherein) may occur substantially the same in step 201 as in step 101,described above. The determination of sufficient spacing and thegeneration of notifications with respect thereto may also, in certainembodiments, occur in step 202 in substantially the same manner as instep 102. Indeed, according to various embodiments, the only differencebetween the first and second methods of operation 200 involves theextraction further of label data in step 204 and the associationtherewith further with the extracted screen shots and the calculateddimensions in step 206. In this manner, however, it should be understoodthat only may associated physical package characteristics be associatedin step 206 and provided in step 207 (e.g., as documentary evidence),but any package labels or shipping indicia data that may be gleaned fromthe packages themselves may also be captured, stored, and later (or inreal time or near real time fashion) provided.

With respect to step 204 of the second exemplary method of operation 200of the improved conveyor assembly 1, it should be generally understoodthat the extraction of label data from exterior surfaces of packages isa generally well-known and understood process, although various novelvariations thereof have been developed over time. One non-limitingexample in this regard is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,815,031, thecontents of which as are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety. Once extracted, proceeding to step 206 and step 207 ofthe second exemplary method of operation 200—as compared to the firstexemplary method of operation 100—therein according to variousembodiments the extracted label data, along with the spacing, screenshot (and/or video sequence), and dimensional data may be consolidatedfor association and provision to one or more users/entities associatedwith the improved conveyor assembly 1. It should be understood thataccording to these and still other embodiments, the extracted label datais associated and/or provided (upon request or otherwise) in a mannerintended to additionally bolster the objective evidence available tovalidate physical characteristics of any one of a plurality of packageshaving been shipped, should one or more parameters (e.g., shipping cost)associated therewith be later challenged by a customer or otherwise.

System 1000 Incorporating Improved Conveyor Belt Assembly 1

As mentioned, various embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented in various ways, including in association withnon-transitory computer program products used in connection with anetworked system such as that illustrated in FIGS. 6-7B. A computerprogram product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts, sourcecode, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpretedcode, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like (alsoreferred to herein as executable instructions, instructions forexecution, program code, and/or similar terms used hereininterchangeably). Such non-transitory computer-readable storage mediainclude all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatilemedia).

In one embodiment, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude a floppy disk, flexible disk, hard disk, solid-state storage(SSS) (e.g., a solid state drive (SSD), solid state card (SSC), solidstate module (SSM)), enterprise flash drive, magnetic tape, or any othernon-transitory magnetic medium, and/or the like. A non-volatilecomputer-readable storage medium may also include a punch card, papertape, optical mark sheet (or any other physical medium with patterns ofholes or other optically recognizable indicia), compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disc compact disc-rewritable (CD-RW), digitalversatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc (BD), any other non-transitoryoptical medium, and/or the like. Such a non-volatile computer-readablestorage medium may also include read-only memory (ROM), programmableread-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flashmemory (e.g., Serial, NAND, NOR, and/or the like), multimedia memorycards (MMC), secure digital (SD) memory cards, SmartMedia cards,CompactFlash (CF) cards, Memory Sticks, and/or the like. Further, anon-volatile computer-readable storage medium may also includeconductive-bridging random access memory (CBRAM), phase-change randomaccess memory (PRAM), ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM),non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM), magnetoresistiverandom-access memory (MRAM), resistive random-access memory (RRAM),Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon memory (SONOS), floating junctiongate random access memory (FJG RAM), Millipede memory, racetrack memory,and/or the like.

In one embodiment, a volatile computer-readable storage medium mayinclude random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM),static random access memory (SRAM), fast page mode dynamic random accessmemory (FPM DRAM), extended data-out dynamic random access memory (EDODRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double datarate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), double datarate type two synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR2 SDRAM),double data rate type three synchronous dynamic random access memory(DDR3 SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), TwinTransistor RAM (TTRAM), Thyristor RAM (T-RAM), Zero-capacitor (Z-RAM),Rambus in-line memory module (RIMM), dual in-line memory module (DIMM),single in-line memory module (SIMM), video random access memory VRAM,cache memory (including various levels), flash memory, register memory,and/or the like. It will be appreciated that where embodiments aredescribed to use a computer-readable storage medium, other types ofcomputer-readable storage media may be substituted for or used inaddition to the computer-readable storage media described above.

As should be appreciated, various embodiments of the present inventionmay also be implemented as methods, apparatus, systems, assemblies,computing devices, computing entities, and/or the like, as have beendescribed elsewhere herein. As such, embodiments of the presentinvention may take the form of an apparatus, system, assembly, computingdevice, computing entity, and/or the like executing instructions storedon a computer-readable storage medium to perform certain steps oroperations. However, embodiments of the present invention may also takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment performing certain steps oroperations.

Various embodiments are described below with reference to block diagramsand flowchart illustrations of apparatuses, methods, systems, andcomputer program products. It should be understood that each block ofany of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, respectively, maybe implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., aslogical steps or operations executing on a processor in a computingsystem. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto acomputer, such as a special purpose computer or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a specifically-configured machine, suchthat the instructions which execute on the computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus implement the functions specifiedin the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the functionality specified in theflowchart block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatusto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computeror other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implementedprocess such that the instructions that execute on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport various combinations for performing the specified functions,combinations of operations for performing the specified functions andprogram instructions for performing the specified functions. It shouldalso be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, could be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions oroperations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 1000 that can be usedin conjunction with various embodiments of the conveyor belt assembly 1of the present invention, as such has been described elsewhere herein.In at least the illustrated embodiment, the system 1000 may include oneor more central computing devices 1110, one or more distributedcomputing devices 1120, and one or more distributed handheld or mobiledevices 1300, all configured in communication with the conveyor beltassembly 1 and a central server 1200 (or control unit, for example suchas the user interface or control panel 34 of the conveyor belt assemblydescribed elsewhere herein) via one or more networks 1130. While FIG. 6illustrates the various system entities as separate, standaloneentities, the various embodiments are not limited to this particulararchitecture.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, the one ormore networks 1130 may be capable of supporting communication inaccordance with any one or more of a number of second-generation (2G),2.5G, third-generation (3G), and/or fourth-generation (4G) mobilecommunication protocols, or the like. More particularly, the one or morenetworks 1130 may be capable of supporting communication in accordancewith 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136 (TDMA), GSM, and IS-95(CDMA). Also, for example, the one or more networks 1130 may be capableof supporting communication in accordance with 2.5G wirelesscommunication protocols GPRS, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), orthe like. In addition, for example, the one or more networks 1130 may becapable of supporting communication in accordance with 3G wirelesscommunication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS)network employing Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) radioaccess technology. Some narrow-band AMPS (NAMPS), as well as TACS,network(s) may also benefit from embodiments of the present invention,as should dual or higher mode mobile stations (e.g., digital/analog orTDMA/CDMA/analog phones). As yet another example, each of the componentsof the system 1000 may be configured to communicate with one another inaccordance with techniques such as, for example, radio frequency (RF),Bluetooth™, infrared (IrDA), or any of a number of different wired orwireless networking techniques, including a wired or wireless PersonalArea Network (“PAN”), Local Area Network (“LAN”), Metropolitan AreaNetwork (“MAN”), Wide Area Network (“WAN”), or the like.

Although the device(s) 1110-1300 are illustrated in FIG. 8 ascommunicating with one another over the same network 1130, these devicesmay likewise communicate over multiple, separate networks.

According to one embodiment, in addition to receiving data from theserver 1200, any of the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 and/or thedistributed devices 1110, 1120, and/or 1300 may be further configured tocollect and transmit data on their own. In various embodiments, theimproved conveyor belt assembly 1 and/or devices 1110, 1120, and/or 1300may be capable of receiving data via one or more input units or devices,such as a keypad, touchpad, barcode scanner, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) reader, interface card (e.g., modem, etc.) orreceiver. The improved conveyor belt assembly 1 (or at least the imagingsystem 30 thereof) and/or devices 1110, 1120, and/or 1300 may further becapable of storing data to one or more volatile or non-volatile memorymodules, and outputting the data via one or more output units ordevices, for example, by displaying data to the user operating thedevice, or by transmitting data, for example over the one or morenetworks 1130.

In various embodiments, the server 1200 includes various systems forperforming one or more functions in accordance with various embodimentsof the present invention, including those more particularly shown anddescribed herein. It should be understood, however, that the server 1200might include a variety of alternative devices for performing one ormore like functions, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. For example, at least a portion of the server 1200(or the functionality provided thereby), in certain embodiments, may belocated on the imaging system 30 of the improved conveyor belt assembly1 and/or one or more of the distributed device(s) 1110, 1120 (at leastone of which may be analogous to or comprises the user interface orcontrol panel 34 of the imaging system 30 described elsewhere herein),and/or the handheld or mobile device(s) 1300, as may be desirable forparticular applications. As will be described in further detail below,in at least one embodiment, the handheld or mobile device(s) 1300 maycontain one or more mobile applications 1330 which may be configured soas to provide a further mobile user interface for communication with theserver 1200 and/or the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 (or at leastthe imaging system 30 thereof), all as will be likewise described infurther detail below.

FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of the server 1200 according to variousembodiments. The server 1200 includes a processor 1230 that communicateswith other elements within the server via a system interface or bus1235. Also included in the server 1200 is a display/input device 1250for receiving and displaying data. This display/input device 1250 maybe, for example, a keyboard or pointing device that is used incombination with a monitor. The server 1200 further includes memory1220, which typically includes both read only memory (ROM) 1226 andrandom access memory (RAM) 1222. The server's ROM 1226 is used to storea basic input/output system 1224 (BIOS), containing the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the server1200. Various ROM and RAM configurations have been previously describedherein.

In addition, the server 1200 includes at least one storage device orprogram storage 210, such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, aCD Rom drive, or optical disk drive, for storing information on variouscomputer-readable media, such as a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk,or a CD-ROM disk. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart, each of these storage devices 1210 are connected to the system bus1235 by an appropriate interface. The storage devices 1210 and theirassociated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage for apersonal computer. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art, the computer-readable media described above could be replacedby any other type of computer-readable media known in the art. Suchmedia include, for example, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards,digital video disks, and Bernoulli cartridges.

Although not shown, according to an embodiment, the storage device 1210and/or memory of the server 1200 may further provide the functions of adata storage device, which may store historical and/or current datacaptured by the improved conveyor belt assembly 1 that may be accessedby the server 1200. In this regard, the storage device 1210 may compriseone or more databases. The term “database” refers to a structuredcollection of records or data that is stored in a computer system, suchas via a relational database, hierarchical database, or network databaseand as such, should not be construed in a limiting fashion.

A number of program modules (e.g., exemplary modules 1400-1700)comprising, for example, one or more computer-readable program codeportions executable by the processor 1230, may be stored by the variousstorage devices 1210 and within RAM 1222. Such program modules may alsoinclude an operating system 1280. In these and other embodiments, thevarious modules 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 control certain aspects of theoperation of the server 1200 with the assistance of the processor 1230and operating system 1280. For example, the various modules 1400, 1500,1600, 1700 may be configured to control any combination of (or all) ofthe steps described elsewhere herein for the first and second exemplarymethods of operation 100, 200 of the improved conveyor belt assembly 1.The various modules 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 may, at a minimum, beconfigured to extract screen shot data, and calculate package dimensionsbased therefrom. In still other embodiments, it should be understoodthat one or more additional and/or alternative modules may also beprovided and/or otherwise configured, without departing from the scopeand nature of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the program modules 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 areexecuted by the server 1200 and are configured to generate one or moregraphical user interfaces, reports, instructions, and/ornotifications/alerts, all accessible and/or transmittable to varioususers of the system 1000. In certain embodiments, the user interfaces,reports, instructions, and/or notifications/alerts may be accessible viaone or more networks 1130, which may include the Internet or otherfeasible communications network, as previously discussed.

In various embodiments, it should also be understood that one or more ofthe modules 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 may be alternatively and/oradditionally (e.g., in duplicate) stored locally on the imaging system30 and/or on one or more of the devices 1110, 1120, and/or 1300 and maybe executed by one or more processors of the same. According to variousembodiments, the modules 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 may send data to,receive data from, and utilize data contained in one or more databases,which may be comprised of one or more separate, linked and/or networkeddatabases.

Also located within the server 1200 is a network interface 1260 forinterfacing and communicating with other elements of the one or morenetworks 1130. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart that one or more of the server 1200 components may be locatedgeographically remotely from other server components. Furthermore, oneor more of the server 1200 components may be combined, and/or additionalcomponents performing functions described herein may also be included inthe server.

While the foregoing describes a single processor 1230, as one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize, the server 1200 may comprisemultiple processors operating in conjunction with one another to performthe functionality described herein. In addition to the memory 1220, theprocessor 1230 can also be connected to at least one interface (see, forexample the user interface 34 of the imaging system 30 of the improvedconveyor belt assembly 1 described elsewhere herein) or other means fordisplaying, transmitting and/or receiving data, content or the like. Inthis regard, the interface(s) can include at least one communicationinterface or other means for transmitting and/or receiving data, contentor the like, as well as at least one user interface that can include adisplay and/or a user input interface, as will be described in furtherdetail below. The user input interface, in turn, can comprise any of anumber of devices allowing the entity to receive data from a user, suchas a keypad, a touch display, a joystick or other input device.

Still further, while reference is made to the “server” 1200, as one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize, embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to traditionally defined server architectures.Still further, the system of embodiments of the present invention is notlimited to a single server, or similar network entity or mainframecomputer system. Other similar architectures including one or morenetwork entities operating in conjunction with one another to providethe functionality described herein may likewise be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, a mesh network of two or more personal computers(PCs), similar electronic devices, or handheld portable devices,collaborating with one another to provide the functionality describedherein in association with the server 1200 may likewise be used withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the presentinvention.

According to various embodiments, many individual steps of a process mayor may not be carried out utilizing the computer systems and/or serversdescribed herein, and the degree of computer implementation may vary, asmay be desirable and/or beneficial for one or more particularapplications.

FIG. 7B provides an illustrative schematic representative of a mobiledevice 1300 that can be used in conjunction with various embodiments ofthe present invention. Mobile devices 1300 can be operated by variousparties, for example, as by a supervisor tasked with ensuring that aconveyor belt assembly 1 is operating and/or being operated by personnellocated at the assembly appropriately. As a non-limiting example, thesupervisor may be promptly notified, via the mobile device 1300 of anyinaccuracies or inefficiencies, including if/when one or more packageshave been placed upon the conveyor belt 10 with insufficient spacingthere-between, as described elsewhere herein.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a mobile device 1300 may include an antenna 1312, atransmitter 1304 (e.g., radio), a receiver 1306 (e.g., radio), and aprocessing element 1308 that provides signals to and receives signalsfrom the transmitter 1304 and receiver 1306, respectively. The signalsprovided to and received from the transmitter 1304 and the receiver1306, respectively, may include signaling data in accordance with an airinterface standard of applicable wireless systems to communicate withvarious entities, such as the server 1200, the improved conveyor beltassembly 1 (or at least the imaging system 30 thereof), the distributeddevices 1110, 1120, and/or the like. In this regard, the mobile device1300 may be capable of operating with one or more air interfacestandards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types.More particularly, the mobile device 1300 may operate in accordance withany of a number of wireless communication standards and protocols. In aparticular embodiment, the mobile device 1300 may operate in accordancewith multiple wireless communication standards and protocols, such asGPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA,HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocols, Bluetooth protocols, USBprotocols, and/or any other wireless protocol.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the mobile device 1300may according to various embodiments communicate with various otherentities using concepts such as Unstructured Supplementary Service data(USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS),Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber IdentityModule Dialer (SIM dialer). The mobile device 1300 can also downloadchanges, add-ons, and updates, for instance, to its firmware, software(e.g., including executable instructions, applications, programmodules), and operating system.

According to one embodiment, the mobile device 1300 may include alocation determining device and/or functionality. For example, themobile device 1300 may include a GPS module adapted to acquire, forexample, latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course, and/or speeddata. In one embodiment, the GPS module acquires data, sometimes knownas ephemeris data, by identifying the number of satellites in view andthe relative positions of those satellites.

The mobile device 1300 may also comprise a user interface (that caninclude a display 1316 coupled to a processing element 1308) and/or auser input interface (coupled to a processing element 308). The userinput interface can comprise any of a number of devices allowing themobile device 1300 to receive data, such as a keypad 1318 (hard orsoft), a touch display, voice or motion interfaces, or other inputdevice. In embodiments including a keypad 1318, the keypad can include(or cause display of) the conventional numeric (0-9) and related keys(#, *), and other keys used for operating the mobile device 1300 and mayinclude a full set of alphabetic keys or set of keys that may beactivated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition toproviding input, the user input interface can be used, for example, toactivate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and/orsleep modes.

The mobile device 1300 can also include volatile storage or memory 1322and/or non-volatile storage or memory 1324, which can be embedded and/ormay be removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/or the like. Thevolatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDRSDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cachememory, register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatilestorage or memory can store databases, database instances, databasemapping systems, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts,source code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code,machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like to implement thefunctions of the mobile device 1300.

The mobile device 1300 may also include one or more of a camera 1326 anda mobile application 1330. The camera 1326 may be configured accordingto various embodiments as an additional and/or alternative datacollection feature, whereby one or more items may be read, stored,and/or transmitted by the mobile device 1300 via the camera. This couldoccur, for example, if a supervisor, upon being alerted of aninsufficient spacing issue with respect to the convey belt assembly 1,wishes to capture additional documentation thereof via the mobile device1300. The mobile application 1330 may further provide a feature viawhich various tasks may be performed with the mobile device 1300.Various configurations may be provided, as may be desirable for one ormore users of the mobile device 1300 and the system 1020 as a whole.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed:
 1. An improved conveyor belt assembly for facilitatingimproved automated handling of a plurality of packages, said improvedconveyor belt assembly comprising: a conveyor belt comprising: a visiblesurface having a primary axis oriented in a machine direction, saidvisible surface being movable in said machine direction and configured,during movement, to receive thereon each of said plurality of packages;a plurality of first stripes having a first visible appearance, each ofsaid plurality of first stripes at least in part defining said visiblesurface and being oriented perpendicular to said primary axis; and aplurality of second stripes having a second visible appearance, each ofsaid plurality of second stripes at least in part defining said visiblesurface and being oriented perpendicular to said primary axis, wherein:the second visible appearance provides a contrasting appearance relativeto the first visible appearance; each of said plurality of secondstripes are located intermediate two of said plurality of first stripessuch that the plurality of first and second stripes collectively definean alternating contrasting pattern on the visible surface of theimproved conveyor belt; each of said plurality of first stripes has afirst width defined parallel to said primary axis; each of saidplurality of second stripes has a second width defined parallel to saidprimary axis, said second width being substantially the same as saidfirst width; and said first and second widths are in a range betweenfive centimeters and fifteen centimeters; and an imaging systemcomprising a plurality of cameras positioned in a plurality of locationsrelative to said visible surface of said conveyor belt, said imagingsystem being configured to provide continuous visibility of each of saidplurality of packages received on said visible surface during movementthereof.
 2. The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim 1, wherein:said first visible appearance of said plurality of first stripes is asolid pattern defined by a first color; and said second visibleappearance of said plurality of second stripes is a striped patterndefined by a second and a third color, said second color being acontrasting color relative to said first color.
 3. The improved conveyorbelt assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second widths areapproximately ten centimeters.
 4. The improved conveyor belt assembly ofclaim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of first stripes is made of afirst material; and each of said plurality of second stripes is made ofa second material, said second material being different than said firstmaterial, said first and second materials being connected to each otherso as to define together said visible surface of said conveyor belt. 5.The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of saidplurality of second stripes is defined by a material of said visiblesurface of said conveyor belt; and each of said plurality of firststripes is defined by a contrasting paint applied onto said visiblesurface of said conveyor belt.
 6. The improved conveyor belt assembly ofclaim 5, wherein said contrasting paint has a lumen factor of at least0.85.
 7. The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim 1, wherein: afirst set of said plurality of cameras are positioned above and in afirst plane substantially perpendicular to said visible surface; and asecond set of said plurality of cameras are positioned beside saidvisible surface and in a second plane substantially perpendicular tosaid visible surface, said first and second planes being intersectingplanes, so as to collectively provide, via the first and the second setsof said plurality of cameras, coverage of sides and tops of each of saidplurality of packages placed on said visible surface and traveling onsaid conveyor belt.
 8. The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim 1,wherein: said first visible appearance of said plurality of firststripes is a first color; and said second visible appearance of saidplurality of second stripes is a second color, said second color being acontrasting color relative to said first color.
 9. The improved conveyorbelt assembly of claim 8, wherein said first color is white and saidsecond color is black.
 10. The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim1, wherein: said visible surface of said conveyor belt has a widthdefined perpendicular to said primary axis; and each of said pluralityof first and second stripes extend across at least 80% of said width.11. The improved conveyor belt assembly of claim 10, wherein each ofsaid plurality of first and second stripes extend across an entirety ofsaid width.
 12. A system comprising: a conveyor belt comprising: avisible surface having a primary axis oriented in a machine direction,said visible surface being movable in said machine direction andconfigured, during movement, to receive thereon each of said pluralityof packages; a plurality of first stripes having a first visibleappearance, each of said plurality of first stripes at least in partdefining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to saidprimary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a second visibleappearance, each of said plurality of second stripes at least in partdefining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to saidprimary axis, wherein: the second visible appearance provides acontrasting appearance relative to the first visible appearance; andeach of said plurality of second stripes are located intermediate two ofsaid plurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first andsecond stripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern onthe visible surface of the improved conveyor belt; an imaging systemcomprising a plurality of cameras positioned in a plurality of locationsrelative to said visible surface of said conveyor belt; one or morecomputer processors configured for: during continuous operation of saidimproved conveyor belt, capturing, via said imaging system a continuousvideo sequence containing each of said plurality of packages received onsaid visible surface during movement thereof; extracting at least onescreen shot containing at least one image of at least one of saidplurality of packages; and calculating, based at least upon the firstand second known widths of said plurality of first and second stripesappearing in said at least one extracted screen shot, one or moredimensions of said at least one of said plurality of packages; and oneor more memory storage areas configured to associate and store saidextracted screen shot and said calculated dimensions with said at leastone of said plurality of packages.
 13. The system of claim 12, whereinsaid system further comprises a network and said one or more computerprocessors are further configured for, in response to a request toaccess said associated and stored extracted screen shot and saidcalculated dimensions, transmitting said requested data over adistributed network.
 14. A computer-implemented method for facilitatingimproved automated handling of a plurality of packages, said methodcomprising the steps of: continuously operating an improved conveyorbelt, said improved conveyor belt comprising: a visible surface having aprimary axis oriented in a machine direction, said visible surface beingmovable in said machine direction during said continuous operation andbeing configured to receive thereon each of said plurality of packages;a plurality of first stripes having a first known width and a firstvisible appearance, each of said plurality of first stripes at least inpart defining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular tosaid primary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a secondknown width and a second visible appearance, each of said plurality ofsecond stripes at least in part defining said visible surface and beingoriented perpendicular to said primary axis, wherein: the second visibleappearance provides a contrasting appearance relative to the firstvisible appearance; and each of said plurality of second stripes arelocated intermediate two of said plurality of first stripes such thatthe plurality of first and second stripes collectively define analternating contrasting pattern on the visible surface of the improvedconveyor belt; during said continuous operation of said improvedconveyor belt, capturing, via an imaging system a continuous videosequence containing each of said plurality of packages received on saidvisible surface during movement thereof; extracting, via at least onecomputer processor, at least one screen shot containing at least oneimage of at least one of said plurality of packages; calculating, viasaid at least one computer processor and based at least upon the firstand second known widths of said plurality of first and second stripesappearing in said at least one extracted screen shot, one or moredimensions of said at least one of said plurality of packages; andassociating and storing, in at least one memory storage area, saidextracted screen shot and said calculated dimensions with said at leastone of said plurality of packages.
 15. The computer-implemented methodof claim 14, further comprising the step of, in response to a request toaccess said associated and stored extracted screen shot and saidcalculated dimensions, transmitting said requested data over adistributed network.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14,wherein said method further comprises the steps of: extracting, via saidat least one computer processor and based at least in part upon saidextracted at least one screen shot, package shipping indicia for said atleast one of said plurality of packages; and associating and storing, inat least one memory storage area, said extracted shipping indiciatogether with said extracted screen shot and said calculated dimensionsfor said at least one of said plurality of packages.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 14, further comprising the stepsof: prior to calculating said one or more dimensions, determining, viasaid at least one computer processor and based at least upon the firstand second known widths of said plurality of first and second stripesappearing in said at least one extracted screen shot, whether one ormore of said plurality of packages received on said visible surface isinsufficiently spaced relative to another one or more of said pluralityof packages; if determined that any of said plurality of packages areinsufficiently spaced, generating at least one notification alerting atleast one user of the improved conveyor belt assembly of theinsufficient spacing; and if determined that all of said plurality ofpackages are sufficiently spaced, associating and storing in said atleast one memory storage area said determination of sufficient spacingalongside said one or more extracted screen shots and said calculatedone or more dimensions for each of said plurality of packages for whichsufficient spacing is determined.
 18. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 17, wherein said method further comprises the step of, ifdetermined that any of said plurality of packages are insufficientlyspaced, ceasing continued movement of said conveyor belt untilmitigation of said insufficient spacing is corrected in response to saidgenerated notification.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17,wherein said determining of sufficient spacing is based upon apredetermined minimum spacing of between two and ten centimeters. 20.The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein said determining ofsufficient spacing is based upon a predetermined minimum spacing ofapproximately five centimeters.
 21. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 17, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:extracting, via said at least one computer processor and based at leastin part upon said extracted at least one screen shot, package shippingindicia for said at least one of said plurality of packages; andassociating and storing, in at least one memory storage area, saidextracted shipping indicia together with said extracted screen shot,said determined sufficient spacing, and said calculated dimensions forsaid at least one of said plurality of packages.
 22. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 21, wherein said step of extractingsaid package shipping indicia occurs prior to said step of calculatingsaid one or more dimensions and after said step of determining whethersufficient spacing exists for each of said plurality of packages.
 23. Animproved conveyor belt for facilitating improved automated handling of aplurality of packages, said improved conveyor belt comprising: a visiblesurface having a primary axis oriented in a machine direction; aplurality of first stripes having a first visible appearance, each ofsaid plurality of first stripes at least in part defining said visiblesurface and being oriented perpendicular to said primary axis; and aplurality of second stripes having a second visible appearance, each ofsaid plurality of second stripes at least in part defining said visiblesurface and being oriented perpendicular to said primary axis, wherein:the second visible appearance provides a contrasting appearance relativeto the first visible appearance; each of said plurality of secondstripes are located intermediate two of said plurality of first stripessuch that the plurality of first and second stripes collectively definean alternating contrasting pattern on the visible surface of theimproved conveyor belt; each of said plurality of first stripes has afirst width defined parallel to said primary axis; each of saidplurality of second stripes has a second width defined parallel to saidprimary axis, said second width being substantially the same as saidfirst width; and said first and second widths are in a range betweenfive centimeters and fifteen centimeters.
 24. An improved conveyor beltassembly for facilitating improved automated handling of a plurality ofpackages, said improved conveyor belt assembly comprising: a conveyorbelt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axis oriented in amachine direction, said visible surface being movable in said machinedirection and configured, during movement, to receive thereon each ofsaid plurality of packages; a plurality of first stripes having a firstvisible appearance, each of said plurality of first stripes at least inpart defining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular tosaid primary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a secondvisible appearance, each of said plurality of second stripes at least inpart defining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular tosaid primary axis, wherein: said first visible appearance of saidplurality of first stripes is a solid pattern defined by a first color;said second visible appearance of said plurality of second stripes is astriped pattern defined by a second and a third color, said second colorbeing a contrasting color relative to said first color; and each of saidplurality of second stripes are located intermediate two of saidplurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first and secondstripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern on thevisible surface of the improved conveyor belt; and an imaging systemcomprising a plurality of cameras positioned in a plurality of locationsrelative to said visible surface of said conveyor belt, said imagingsystem being configured to provide continuous visibility of each of saidplurality of packages received on said visible surface during movementthereof.
 25. An improved conveyor belt for facilitating improvedautomated handling of a plurality of packages, said improved conveyorbelt comprising: a visible surface having a primary axis oriented in amachine direction; a plurality of first stripes having a first visibleappearance, each of said plurality of first stripes at least in partdefining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to saidprimary axis; and a plurality of second stripes having a second visibleappearance, each of said plurality of second stripes at least in partdefining said visible surface and being oriented perpendicular to saidprimary axis, wherein: said first visible appearance of said pluralityof first stripes is a solid pattern defined by a first color; saidsecond visible appearance of said plurality of second stripes is astriped pattern defined by a second and a third color, said second colorbeing a contrasting color relative to said first color; and each of saidplurality of second stripes are located intermediate two of saidplurality of first stripes such that the plurality of first and secondstripes collectively define an alternating contrasting pattern on thevisible surface of the improved conveyor belt.